Midlothian bar has expansion plan brewing

The Sedona Taphouse in Midlothian. (Photo courtesy of Sedona Taphouse)

A local watering hole is headed for Cavalier country – and maybe beyond.

Sedona Taphouse, a Midlothian restaurant that boasts a menu of more than 500 craft beers, will open a location in Charlottesville this year. Owner Dennis Barbaro said this is the first step in an expansion plan that includes eventually franchising the Sedona concept.

“The response we’ve had in Midlothian has been phenomenal,” Barbaro said. “This is going to give us a way to expand quickly.”

Sedona, which opened in Westchester Commons in late 2011, will start offering licensing agreements in the next couple of months. The agreements, a precursor to franchising, allow restaurateurs to buy rights to the Sedona name and brand. Barbaro said he’s heard from interested parties in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

The Charlottesville location, which will be owned by Barbaro, is within walking distance of the University of Virginia. Barbaro said he wants to tap into the student market.

“Charlottesville is a great spot demographically,” he said. “It’s already a very craft beer-centric town.”

Renovation costs should come in at just under $700,000, which Barbaro said he would finance with the help of private investors.

Business in Midlothian has been brisk enough for Barbaro to plan a 1,000-square-foot addition to the restaurant’s 3,300 square feet at Westchester. Barbaro said the extra space should help cut down on wait times, which can be up to an hour and a half on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Chesterfield brewpub market is heating up. Two first-time restaurateurs are set to launch Brew in the Chesterfield Meadows shopping center this year.

2 Comments »

I heard at the game the other night that a Richmond beer pub would be occupying the Sloanes/Milmont Grill space. Assuming that’s the Sedona location, Monday’s $5 steak night is going to be a BIG HIT in Charlottesville.